Ethics and philosophy

One of the questions asked in class Tuesday was "why be moral"? Well, to answer this question, it would take well over 100 years to entirely answer the question in full. As for a brief synopsis, I would say that ethics affect more than you would think it does. So, why be moral? Who's going to care? Who's it going to benefit?

Early economists proposed a theory on human behavior. They believed that all human behavior is totally motivated on self-interest. The decisions made by the person is basically recognizing the better difference between the cost and the benefit of buying that product. There are definitely people out there that make decisions not based upon a benefit/cost analysis. Such examples would be turning a lost purse into the lost and found if possible, risking their own life to save someone else, or donating blood.

Aristotle created an ethical theory labeled as self-realizationism. In his definition, he claimed that when a person realizes their full potential, they will be content and have a happy life. It is those who don't realize their full potential who live unhappy lives. "Nature does nothing in vain", as Aristotle boldly stated.

So, as you can see, the ethical decisions made in your life completely has an effect on the rest of your life, and sometimes affects on others. The need to be ethical is most people's drive forward. It is especially important to a business. If you want to succeed you have to help other people do the same. If you can recognize the difference between good and bad ethics, you can do pretty well for yourself. So I don't think there's anything that the human race can't solve somehow, as long as people are moral and make moral decisions.

Sources: Sahakian, William S. & Sahakian, Mabel Lewis. Ideas of the Great Philosophers. pp 33-35. Barnes & Noble Books (1993). Kwan ,Micahel. Beyond the Rhetoric. Official Blog.